Drug Firms Argue Over $1.2B Arkansas Judgment

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (AP) -- A lawyer for two drug companies told the Arkansas Supreme Court that the state improperly relied on federal regulations in a lawsuit that resulted in a $1.2 billion award over the companies' marketing of an antipsychotics drug.

The state's attorneys countered during Thursday's hearing before the high court that Johnson & Johnson and a subsidiary were properly penalized for improper marketing of the drug Risperdal.

A Pulaski County jury ruled against the companies in 2012.

The companies also argued that the state brought the case under a Medicaid fraud law when there was no indications of improper reimbursements.

Sixty-five legislators filed a friend of the court brief saying the law was properly applied.